Parent Watercooler: Give Mom a Box of Love

This gift tutorial is brought to you by
Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog
Ambassador Zina Harrington.

Keep the light of curiosity alive! – Zina

Still searching for a unique Mother’s Day present?
A small “Box of Love” is the perfect gift for Mom. While I keep the clutter at my work desk to a minimum, this adorable Box of Love sits proudly under my computer screen. It makes me smile every day.

This classic school project and poem are guaranteed to melt Mom’s heart:

This is a very special gift that you can never see.
The reason it’s so special is, it’s just for you from me.
Whenever you are happy or even feeling blue.
You only have to hold this gift and know I think of you.
You never can unwrap it. Please leave the ribbon tied.
Just hold the box close to your heart. It’s filled with love inside.

Getting started:

Small box: a cardboard jewelry box, a wedding-favor box from a craft shop or a non-glossy box from your recycling bin.
Project Tip: Looking for something a bit more sturdy? The Melissa & Doug Wooden Heart Box is also the perfect size.

The best Mother’s Day presents are handcrafted without adult intervention!
Here are directions for this priceless gift:

Give the box a base coat. Young children are often wonderfully sporadic with their painting. A light base coat of paint will give the project a finished feel without your having to say, “You missed a spot.” Be sure to let it dry for 24 hours before decorating.

Prep the area and prep your child to paint. A vinyl shower curtain makes a wonderful art tablecloth; it is easy to wipe up and covers a huge amount of space. Prep your little one for painting with a short-sleeve shirt and an art smock. Be sure to have a damp towel on hand for spills.

Let the child decorate the box any way they wish. Walk away and give the child full ownership of the project. If your little one decides to experiment and mix all the paint colors together, remember that a brightly colored bow will look vibrant against black

Decorate the box with a ribbon. After the paint is dry, have your child adorn the box with a small bow. Add a dab of glue to ensure it stays in place.

Heather, I mentioned to my husband this week that I’d love a fancy apron for Mother’s Day this year. Sometimes I think it is nice for them to get a “hint.” The best part about hinting towards this project is the design will still be a surprise when you see it. I hope you share the link with him!

Perfect for traveling! We’ve partnered with our friends at Highlights for Children to bring some extra creative fun to your children this summer, with our FREE 10-page Boredom Busters printable activity book for kids! Check it out!